"A fire broke out in the cabinet workshops of Mr. Thomas Sopwith, situated in the Painter-heugh, Newcastle, which were entirely consumed, together with a quantity of mahogany veneers, and all the tools of the workmen. It is not known how the conflagration originated, which was first discovered about ten o'clock, and increased with alarming rapidity, owing to the combustible nature of the materials exposed to its operations. The mayor evinced the most laudable anxiety, stimulating the firemen by his directions and also by his personal exertions. The fire was got under about half-past eleven. Mr. Sopwith's stock and premises were insured." 4th May 1833. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867